📘 Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
📆 Edition: 2024
🌐 Language: English
🏢 Publisher: Lexis Nexis

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), published by Lexis Nexis in its 2024 Edition, represents a landmark moment in India’s data privacy and protection framework. This Act is a comprehensive legislation that governs how personal data is collected, processed, stored, and safeguarded by entities operating in India, both in the public and private sectors.

This edition provides the full text of the DPDP Act, 2023, accompanied by detailed annotations, section-wise explanations, and references to relevant global data protection principles. The book serves as a critical guide for understanding the legal, operational, and compliance implications of India’s first dedicated data protection law, which came into effect as part of the nation’s evolving digital governance regime.

🔹 Key Features of the 2024 Edition

• Comprehensive and Authoritative Coverage: Presents the complete text of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, with lucid explanations and interpretative notes for easy understanding.

• Practical Orientation: Each section is supplemented with concise commentary explaining the duties of data fiduciaries, rights of data principals, and the obligations of data processors.

• Focus on Consent and Rights: Explains the framework of lawful data processing, consent requirements, right to information, right to correction/erasure, and the right to grievance redressal under the Act.

• Compliance and Enforcement: Discusses the establishment and powers of the Data Protection Board of India, penalties for non-compliance, and mechanisms for dispute resolution.

• Global Context: Compares the Indian DPDP Act with other major international frameworks such as the EU’s GDPR, California’s CCPA, and Singapore’s PDPA, helping readers understand global interoperability.

• Sectoral Implications: Provides insights into how the Act affects fintech, healthcare, education, e-commerce, and social media sectors in terms of data handling and privacy obligations.

• User-Friendly Presentation: Includes definitions, key concepts, schedules, and cross-references for clarity and accessibility, making it suitable for quick reference and in-depth research alike.

🔹 What the Act Covers

1. Scope and Applicability:

   • Applies to personal data processed digitally, both within and outside India, when related to Indian citizens.

   • Clarifies terms such as Data Fiduciary, Data Processor, and Data Principal, ensuring precise legal understanding.

2. Rights and Obligations:

   • Elaborates on individual rights such as access, correction, and erasure of personal data.

   • Outlines data fiduciary obligations regarding notice, purpose limitation, data minimization, and retention.

   • Introduces “Significant Data Fiduciaries”—entities subject to enhanced compliance duties, such as appointing Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and conducting audits.

3. Consent Architecture:

   • Establishes consent as the central pillar of lawful data processing, mandating clear, specific, and revocable consent from individuals.

   • Recognizes “legitimate use” exceptions, such as for employment, legal proceedings, and national security.

4. Children’s Data and Cross-border Transfers:

   • Lays down stricter norms for processing children’s data, including bans on tracking and targeted advertising.

   • Regulates cross-border data transfers to countries notified by the Central Government.

5. Data Protection Board of India:

   • Explains the Board’s adjudicatory powers, functions, and procedures for handling data breaches and complaints.

   • Discusses penalty provisions, which can reach up to ₹250 crore for serious violations.

6. Safeguards and Accountability:

   • Details provisions on security safeguards, reporting data breaches, and record-keeping obligations.

   • Encourages organizations to adopt privacy-by-design and data minimization principles.

🔹 Utility and Target Audience

This edition is an essential reference for:

• Legal professionals dealing with technology law, privacy litigation, and compliance advisory.

• Corporate executives and data officers responsible for data governance and risk management.

• Policy-makers and regulators shaping India’s digital economy.

• Academicians and students studying data privacy, information technology, or constitutional rights.

• IT professionals and consultants working on compliance frameworks under the DPDP regime.

🔹 Why This Edition Stands Out

Lexis Nexis’ 2024 edition not only presents the bare text but also contextualizes it with expert insights, commentary, and references to legislative intent. It simplifies a complex, technology-driven statute into a structured, easily comprehensible format that bridges the gap between legal theory and operational practice.

🔹 Conclusion

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (Edition 2024) by Lexis Nexis serves as the most reliable and accessible reference on India’s newly enacted data protection law. With its blend of legal clarity, practical guidance, and policy insight, it equips readers to navigate India’s data privacy landscape confidently and compliantly in the digital age.